This past weekend ABS went white water kayaking. This is my absolute favourite thing that we do, and what I have the most fun doing. It’s scary though, being closed into your kayak that is not very stable, and going down fast water rapids, and trying to remember the techniques to keep you somewhat balanced.
Switching gears here a bit, I’ve been thinking a lot about going home in two weeks, and how much I am going to miss it here in New Zealand, being in the Christian community that I’ve been blessed with, and how people aren’t going to fully understand all the things I’ve learned, or what I’ve been through. I have nothing planned for when I get back, which is fine with me, I know it’s where God wants me right now, but the thought scares me that I’m not going to be in the same community like I have been. I’m not going to have people around me 24/7, and there will be internet, TV, radio and other things to distract me easier...whereas the last 6 months I have had barely any of that, so I am a lot more motivated to be in the word or talk to God and it’s amazing how much closer I have come with him, and how much easier it is to hear his voice.
I asked God to prepare me for going home, and that’s what he has done! The other night I had a dream about it, and the day I got back I had to go to work straight away. I had a few hours with friends, but I also had a 2-close shift I had to work the same day I flew in. I was running a little late to work, so I tried to take short cuts to get there faster, the ones I would normally take. But so much had changed, and there was road construction EVERYWHERE, and roads blocked that I didn’t know how I was going to get there on time. My boss was texting me wondering where I was, as well as everyone else needing me in some way. When I woke up I felt so overwhelmed. I’m not sure, but I feel as though this could be how it is when I get home. There’s going to be road blocks and things trying to keep me from God, or God maybe putting road blocks in my life to show me a different way of living for him. I’m not sure exactly what it meant, but it has had me praying and thinking a lot.
BUT, like white water kayaking, when the rapids are really rough, I was taught about eddy’s which are little safe spots behind rocks that is calm water, if you can see them and catch them, it’s a great place to relax or wait for the rest of the group. Also, if the rapids are to strong and there are rocks, it’s important to lean on the rock, not away from it. God has made it clear that he will never leave me or forsake me. That he is a solid rock I can lean on, an eddy in all the chaos that will protect me and keep me safe. I still have to face those rapids, but he’ll be there to lean on.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
C.ucumber C.ucumber!!
As most of you have heard, God blessed me with the opportunity to come back to New Zealand and intern for the summer ABS. It’s been amazing being back here and doing Abs from a different perspective and still being stretched so much! There is heaps of things I have learned, but my favourite thing is looking at the Christian body, and seeing the community that can be formed in such a short amount of time.
This group is much different than the group I did my ABS with in October, a lot more different than the students I got to know at Monavale, but it isn’t better or worse, its just different. Individually we came together, or in small groups, but part way through week 3, the individual clicks were become very obvious and the community as a whole was weak. What we didn’t see at the time, is how much God was working. Every Sunday night we have fellowship night which is ran by James (the other intern) and I. I was working on a few songs with Myles, who played guitar when James came up to ask if I had put anything together for fellowship that night. Both of us had nothing but the feeling of having the Holy spirit do all the leading for this one. I came in late and missed what happened at the beginning, but as soon as I walked through the door, I knew that there was something different about that nights fellowship. A few students were crying and a girl had been sharing what God was doing in her life. By the end of that night there had been some walls broken down and everyone was brought together on a different level. Its been amazing to see how God worked that night and how people are really responding to his leading.
Cucumber, cucumber comes from a game that we play..basically just an inside joke, but it describes this group well with their different quirks and how everyone plays such a vital role in the group. Without one or two people its weird and doesn’t seem right at all. I thank God for how he works in our lives and for how much he cares for us to hear our prayers. This community has been a fun one to live in. I pray that Ill remember this time forever and keep striving for this open of community wherever I might be in the world. God is so faithful and I love how he has been challenging me and using me with this group. God is good. Forever and ever Amen.
This group is much different than the group I did my ABS with in October, a lot more different than the students I got to know at Monavale, but it isn’t better or worse, its just different. Individually we came together, or in small groups, but part way through week 3, the individual clicks were become very obvious and the community as a whole was weak. What we didn’t see at the time, is how much God was working. Every Sunday night we have fellowship night which is ran by James (the other intern) and I. I was working on a few songs with Myles, who played guitar when James came up to ask if I had put anything together for fellowship that night. Both of us had nothing but the feeling of having the Holy spirit do all the leading for this one. I came in late and missed what happened at the beginning, but as soon as I walked through the door, I knew that there was something different about that nights fellowship. A few students were crying and a girl had been sharing what God was doing in her life. By the end of that night there had been some walls broken down and everyone was brought together on a different level. Its been amazing to see how God worked that night and how people are really responding to his leading.
Cucumber, cucumber comes from a game that we play..basically just an inside joke, but it describes this group well with their different quirks and how everyone plays such a vital role in the group. Without one or two people its weird and doesn’t seem right at all. I thank God for how he works in our lives and for how much he cares for us to hear our prayers. This community has been a fun one to live in. I pray that Ill remember this time forever and keep striving for this open of community wherever I might be in the world. God is so faithful and I love how he has been challenging me and using me with this group. God is good. Forever and ever Amen.
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